Once you become practiced at reading palms you will be able to recognize the different degrees, or qualities, at a glance. These degrees provide excellent information about a person`s character and you will find knowledge of them very useful in the daily life. For instance, if you happen to notice that someone you work with has a pronounced degree of inferiority you can then take steps to boost their self-esteem

You have already learned some of this information in previous chapters, but thinking about it in terms of "degrees" provides a different way of looking at it. Regarding different factors as degrees allows you to make quick assessments that can be very helpful in reading palms.

Degree of Sympathy

This I determined by how far down the palm the Heart line is. The further away from the fingers it is, the more sympathetic and understanding the person will be. If the heart line hugs close to the fingers, the person will be unfeeling, unsympathetic and critical.

Degree of Extroversion

The degree of extroversion is determined by the distance between the Heart and Head lines, in what is called the quadrangle. If the heart line and head lines are close together, the person will be basically introverted. The wider the space becomes, the more outgoing and extroverted the person will be.

Degree of Vitality

The degree of vitality is determined by the breadth, height and firmness of the Mount of Venus. If the Life line is clearly marked and encircles a firm Venus in a wide arc, reaching well across the hand, the person will have plenty of energy and staying power. Conversely, if the Life line is weak and hugs close to the thumb, the person will have little energy and appear to be only half alive.

If the Mount of Venus is full, but flabby, the person will have great ideas but will never get around to doing any of them. When things go wrong, this individual will always blame others rather than him or herself.

Degree of Creativity

The degree of creativity is measured by the size of the curve of the percussion (little finger) side of the palm. As this curve is usually created by a good sized Mount of Luna, which governs the creative subconscious, a bulge on this side of the palm is an indication of creative ability. We have to look at other parts of the hand to determine how the creativity is put into use.

Degree of Caution

The degree of caution is measured by seeing if the Head and Life lines are joined at the start. If they are joined, the person will be basically cautious. If separated, he or she will be more independent. This person can also be impulsive and jump into new activity without thinking first. The more widely separated, these lines are, the more extreme the impulsiveness.

Degree of Logic

The degree of logic is determined by the size of the second phalange on the thumb. If it is longer that the first phalange, the person will like to think things out carefully before acting. If the second phalange is shorter than the nail phalange, he or she will act first and think later.

Degree of Will

Like logic, this is also measured in the thumb. If the tip phalange is longer than the second phalange, the person will act first and think later, but will also have a great drive to succeed. This person will make many mistakes along the way, but will pick him or herself up again each time and continue.

If the tip section is shorter than the second section the person will be lacking in will power. He or she may be full of wonderful ideas, but they usually stay as ideas as there is a lack of motivation and incentive to put them into practice.

Degree of Tact

The degree of tact is shown by the second phalange of the thumb. If this phalange bows inwards on both sides, creating a waisted appearance, the person will be naturally tactful and diplomatic. If the second phalange is thick and oblong in appearance the person will be lacking in tact.

Degree of Practicality

The degree of practicality the person possesses is found by looking at the size of the angle created by the outside of the thumb where it joints the palm.

This is the angle of practicality. Someone with a large bump at this point will be good with his or her hands. In fact, these hands will virtually be able to think for themselves. I always choose a plumber, builder, TV repairman or any other tradesperson by the size of his or her degree of practicality.

Degree of Self-Worth.

The degree of self-worth is measured by the length of the Jupiter finger (first finger) compared with the Apollo finger (third finger). If these fingers are equal in length the person has a good self-image and relates well in the world. If the Jupiter (first) finger is shorter than the Apollo (third) finger, the person lacked confidence early in life and is not totally sure of his or her worth. The shorter the finger is in comparison with the Apollo (third) finger, the greater the feelings of inferiority the person will carry around.

If the Jupiter (first) finger is longer than the Apollo (third) finger the person will have plenty of confidence and ambition. The longer the Jupiter finger is, however, the greater the feelings of superiority he or she has over the rest of humanity.